Display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus includes a display area and a folding area; a display panel; a digitizer disposed below the display panel; a sagging prevention member disposed in a portion below the display panel overlapping the folding area; and a lower cover disposed below the sagging prevention member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to and benefits of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2020-0113218 under 35 U.S.C. § 119, filed on Sep. 4,2020, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

One or more embodiments relate to a display apparatus, and, to afoldable display apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Mobility-based electronic devices are widely used. As examples of suchmobile electronic devices, tablet PCs, in addition to compact electronicdevices such as mobile phones, are widely used.

These mobile electronic devices may include a display apparatus thatsupports various functions and provides visual information such asimages or pictures to users. Recently, as sizes of components fordriving a display apparatus have been reduced, a ratio of a displayapparatus in an electronic device has gradually increased, and a displayapparatus with a structure that is foldable to a certain angle in a flatstate has been developed.

It is to be understood that this background of the technology sectionis, in part, intended to provide useful background for understanding thetechnology. However, this background of the technology section may alsoinclude ideas, concepts, or recognitions that were not part of what wasknown or appreciated by those skilled in the pertinent art prior to acorresponding effective filing date of the subject matter disclosedherein.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments include a display apparatus including adigitizer for inputting an external signal to provide users with variousinput methods using a pen or the like within the spirit and the scope ofthe disclosure. However, these objectives are just examples, and thescope of the disclosure is not limited thereby.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may belearned by practice of the disclosure.

According to one or more embodiments, a display may include a displayarea and a folding area; a display panel; a digitizer disposed below thedisplay panel; a sagging prevention member disposed in a portion belowthe display panel overlapping the folding area; and a lower coverdisposed below the sagging prevention member.

The display area may include a first display area and a second displayarea spaced apart from each other, the folding area may be disposedbetween the first display area and the second display area, and thedigitizer may include a first digitizer overlapping the first displayarea; a second digitizer overlapping the second display area; and athird digitizer overlapping the folding area.

The first digitizer and the second digitizer may be spaced apart fromeach other.

The third digitizer may be disposed between the first digitizer and thesecond digitizer.

The third digitizer may be spaced apart from each of the first digitizerand the second digitizer.

The third digitizer may be disposed above the sagging prevention member.

The display apparatus may further include a plate disposed between thedisplay panel and the digitizer.

The plate may include a first portion overlapping the first display areaand the second display area; and a second portion overlapping thefolding area.

The first portion of the plate may include a non-metallic material, andthe second portion of the plate may include a metallic material.

The display apparatus may further include a folding structure disposedin the second portion of the plate.

The display apparatus may further include an electromagnetic waveabsorption layer disposed below the digitizer.

The electromagnetic wave absorption layer may include a firstelectromagnetic wave absorption layer overlapping the first displayarea; a second electromagnetic wave absorption layer overlapping thesecond display area; and a third electromagnetic wave absorption layeroverlapping the folding area.

The first electromagnetic wave absorption layer, the secondelectromagnetic wave absorption layer, and the third electromagneticwave absorption layer may be spaced apart from one another.

The third electromagnetic wave absorption layer may be disposed betweenthe sagging prevention member and the third digitizer.

The display apparatus may further include a wing plate disposed belowthe electromagnetic wave absorption layer.

The wing plate may include a first wing plate overlapping the firstdisplay area; and a second wing plate overlapping the second displayarea.

The first wing plate and the second wing plate may be spaced apart fromeach other.

The sagging prevention member may be disposed between the first wingplate and the second wing plate.

The display apparatus may further include an optical functional layerdisposed above the display panel.

According to one or more embodiments, a display apparatus may includeincluding a display area and a folding area; a display panel; a platedisposed below the display panel and including a first portionoverlapping the display area; and a second portion overlapping thefolding area; a digitizer disposed below the plate; and a saggingprevention member disposed below the plate overlapping the folding area.

The first portion of the plate and the second portion of the plate mayinclude different materials.

The display area may include a first display area and a second displayarea spaced apart from each other, the folding area may be disposedbetween the first display area and the second display area, and thedigitizer may include a first digitizer overlapping the first displayarea; a second digitizer overlapping the second display area; and athird digitizer overlapping the folding area.

The first digitizer and the second digitizer may overlap the firstportion of the plate, and the third digitizer may be overlap the secondportion of the plate.

The third digitizer may be disposed above the sagging prevention member.

The display apparatus may further include a wing plate disposed belowthe digitizer, wherein the wing plate may include a first wing plateoverlapping the first display area; and a second wing plate overlappingthe second display area.

The first wing plate and the second wing plate may be spaced apart fromeach other.

The sagging prevention member may be disposed between the first wingplate and the second wing plate.

The display apparatus may further include a cushion layer disposed abovethe wing plate, wherein the cushion layer may include a first cushionlayer overlapping the first display area; and a second cushion layeroverlapping the second display area.

The first cushion layer and the second cushion layer may be spaced apartfrom each other.

The sagging prevention member may be disposed between the first cushionlayer and the second cushion layer.

Other aspects, features, and advantages other than those described abovewill become apparent from the accompanying drawings, the appendedclaims, and the detailed description of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the disclosurewill be more apparent from the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display apparatus according to anembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display apparatustaken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically illustrating a plate included in adisplay apparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically illustrating a digitizer included ina display apparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically illustrating adigitizer included in a display apparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates positions of a wing plate and a saggingprevention member in a case that a display apparatus according to anembodiment is in-folded;

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates positions of a wing plate and a saggingprevention member in a case that a display apparatus according to anembodiment is unfolded;

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically illustrating adisplay apparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically illustrating a display panelincluded in a display apparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display panel takenalong line II-II′ of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically illustrating adisplay apparatus according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like referencenumerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, embodimentsmay have different forms and should not be construed as being limited tothe descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the embodiments aremerely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspectsof the description. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any andall combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.Throughout the disclosure, the expression “at least one of a, b, and c”indicates only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b andc, all of a, b, and c, or variations thereof.

Since the disclosure may have various modifications and severalembodiments, embodiments are shown in the drawings and will be describedin detail. Effects, features, and a method of achieving the same will bedescribed with reference to the embodiments described below in detailtogether with the attached drawings. However, the embodiments may havedifferent forms and should not be construed as being limited to thedescriptions set forth herein.

While such terms as “first,” “second,” etc., may be used to describevarious components, such components must not be limited to the aboveterms. The above terms are used only to distinguish one component fromanother.

An expression used in the singular encompasses the expression of theplural unless it has a clearly different meaning in the context.

In the specification, it is to be understood that the terms such as“comprising” or “including” or “having” and their variations areintended to indicate the existence of the features or componentsdisclosed in the specification, and are not intended to preclude thepossibility that one or more other features or components may be added.

It will be understood that when a layer, region, or component isreferred to as being “formed on” or “disposed on” or “arranged on” or“located on” or “provided on” another layer, region, or component, itmay be directly or indirectly formed or disposed on or arranged on orlocated on or provided on the other layer, region, or component. Thatis, for example, intervening layers, regions, or components may bepresent.

Sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated for convenienceof explanation. For example, since sizes and thicknesses of componentsin the drawings are arbitrarily illustrated for convenience ofexplanation, the following embodiments are not limited thereto.

In the following embodiments, the expression that a line “extending in afirst direction or a second direction” includes not only a lineextending in a linear form but also extending in a substantially zigzagor substantially curved shape in the first or second direction.

In the following embodiments, the expression “in a plan view” indicatesthat an object is viewed from above, and the expression “on a schematiccross-section” indicates that a cross-sectional of the object cutvertically is viewed from a side.

The spatially relative terms “below”, “beneath”, “lower”, “above”,“upper”, or the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe the relations between one element or component and anotherelement or component as illustrated in the drawings. It will beunderstood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition tothe orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, in the case wherea device illustrated in the drawing is turned over, the devicepositioned “below” or “beneath” another device may be placed “above”another device. Accordingly, the illustrative term “below” may includeboth the lower and upper positions. The device may also be oriented inother directions and thus the spatially relative terms may beinterpreted differently depending on the orientations.

Additionally, the terms “overlap” or “overlapped” mean that a firstobject may be above or below or to a side of a second object, and viceversa. Additionally, the term “overlap” may include layer, stack, faceor facing, extending over, covering or partly covering or any othersuitable term as would be appreciated and understood by those ofordinary skill in the art. The terms “face” and “facing” mean that afirst element may directly or indirectly oppose a second element. In acase in which a third element intervenes between the first and secondelement, the first and second element may be understood as beingindirectly opposed to one another, although still facing each other.When an element is described as ‘not overlapping’ or ‘to not overlap’another element, this may include that the elements are spaced apartfrom each other, offset from each other, or set aside from each other orany other suitable term as would be appreciated and understood by thoseof ordinary skill in the art.

The embodiments will be described below in more detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings. Those components that are the same or are incorrespondence are rendered the same reference numeral regardless of thefigure number.

“About” or “approximately” as used herein is inclusive of the statedvalue and means within an acceptable range of deviation for theparticular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art,considering the measurement in question and the error associated withmeasurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of themeasurement system). For example, “about” may mean within one or morestandard deviations, or within ±30%, 20%, 10%, 5% of the stated value.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It willbe further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display apparatus according to anembodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of thedisplay apparatus taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a display apparatus 1 is an apparatus fordisplaying a moving image or images or a still image or still images,and may be used not only as a display screen of portable electronicdevices such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet personal computer(PC), a mobile communication terminal, a personal digital assistant(PDA), an electronic book, a portable multimedia player (PMP), anavigation device, or a ultra-mobile PC, but also as a display screen ofother various products such as TVs, laptop computers, monitors,billboards, internet of things (IoT) or the like within the spirit andthe scope of the disclosure.

The display apparatus 1 may be used in a wearable device such as asmartwatch, a watch phone, a glasses-type display, or a head-mounteddisplay (HMD). For example, the display apparatus 1 may be used as adisplay in an instrument panel of a vehicle and a center informationdisplay (CID) arranged or disposed on a center fascia or a dashboard ofa vehicle, a room mirror display for replacing side-view mirrors of avehicle, or a display arranged or disposed on a rear surface of a frontseat for providing entertainment content to a passenger in a back seatof a vehicle. In FIGS. 1 and 2, for convenience of description, thedisplay apparatus 1 used as a smartphone is exemplified.

The display apparatus 1 may include a display area DA and a peripheralarea DPA outside of, or adjacent to, the display area DA. The displayapparatus 1 may include a folding area FA, and the display area DA mayinclude a first display area DA1 and a second display area DA2 that maybe spaced apart from each other with the folding area FA therebetween.The peripheral area DPA may be a type of non-display area where nodisplay elements may be arranged or disposed.

In an embodiment, the display area DA and the folding area FA maydisplay an image separately or jointly. In detail, pixels P may bearranged or disposed in the display area DA and the folding area FA.Accordingly, the display apparatus 1 may provide an image by using thepixels P arranged or disposed in the display area DA and the foldingarea FA.

In the specification, “above” or “in a portion above” refers to a +Zdirection with respect to a display panel 10 and “below” or “in aportion below” refers to a −Z direction with respect to the displaypanel 10.

Also, “left,” “right,” “up,” and “down” denote directions for viewingthe display panel 10 from a plane. For example, “left” denotes −Xdirection, “right” denotes +X direction, “up” denotes +Y direction, and“down” denotes −Y direction.

The display apparatus 1 may be have a substantially planar rectangularshape. For example, the display apparatus 1 may have a substantiallyplanar rectangular shape having a short side in a first direction(X-direction) and a long side in a second direction (Y-direction) asshown in FIG. 1. Corners where the short side in the first direction(X-direction) and the long side in the second direction (Y-direction)meet may be rounded to have a certain or predetermined curvature or maybe at a right angle. The substantially planar shape of the displayapparatus 1 is not limited to substantially that of a rectangle, and mayalso be other polygons, an oval, or an amorphous shape.

The display apparatus 1 as described above may be in various shapes. Inan embodiment, the display apparatus 1 may be in a non-variable shape.In an embodiment, the display apparatus 1 may have a shape in which atleast a portion thereof may be hinged. In this case, the displayapparatus 1 may be in an in-folding shape in which the display areas DAof the display panel 10 may face each other in a case that the displayapparatus 1 is hinged or in an out-folding shape in which a display areaof the display panel 10 is exposed to the outside in a case that thedisplay apparatus 1 is hinged. Hereinafter, for convenience ofdescription, description will focus on the display apparatus 1 in anin-folding shape.

In the above case, the display apparatus 1 may be hinged with respect toa folding axis FAX. In a case that the display apparatus 1 is hingedwith respect to the folding axis FAX, a size of the display area DA maydecrease, and in a case that the display apparatus 1 is completelyunfolded, as the display area DA displays an image while forming a flatsurface, a large screen may be realized.

The display panel 10 may be a light-emitting display panel including alight-emitting element. For example, the display panel 10 may be anorganic light-emitting display panel using an organic light-emittingdiode (OLED) including an organic emission layer, a micro LED displaypanel using a micro LED, a quantum dot light-emitting display panelusing a quantum dot LED including a quantum dot emission layer, or aninorganic light-emitting display panel using an inorganic light-emittingelement including an inorganic semiconductor.

The display panel 10 may be a rigid display panel that may be rigid andthus not easily bent or a flexible display panel that may be flexibleand easily bent, folded or rolled. For example, the display panel 10 maybe a foldable display panel, a curved display panel having asubstantially curved display surface, a bent display panel having areassubstantially curved except for a display surface, a rollable displaypanel that may be rollable or unrollable, and a stretchable displaypanel.

The display panel 10 may be a transparent display panel that may betransparent such that an object or a background on a lower surface ofthe display panel 10 may be viewed from an upper surface of the displaypanel 10. Alternatively, the display panel 10 may be a reflectivedisplay panel capable of reflecting an object or background on the uppersurface of the display panel 10.

A lower cover 90 may be arranged or disposed below the display panel 10.The lower cover 90 may form an outer appearance of the display apparatus1. The lower cover 90 may include a plastic, a metal or both a plasticand a metal.

A panel protection member PB may be arranged or disposed below thedisplay panel 10. The panel protection member PB may be attached belowthe display panel 10 to support and protect the display panel 10. Thepanel protection member PB may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET)or polyimide (PI).

In an embodiment, the panel protection member PB may be attached belowthe display panel 10 via a first adhesive layer 21. The first adhesivelayer 21 may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA).

FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically illustrating a plate included in adisplay apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a plate 30 may be arranged or disposed belowthe panel protection member PB. The plate 30 may include a first portion30 a corresponding to the first display area DA1 and the second displayarea DA2 and a second portion 30 b corresponding to the folding area FA.In an embodiment, the first portion 30 a of the plate 30 may at leastpartially overlap the first display area DA1 and the second display areaDA2, and the second portion 30 b of the plate 30 may at least partiallyoverlap the folding area FA.

As will be described later, a digitizer 40 may be arranged or disposedbelow the plate 30. The digitizer 40 may be attached below the plate 30via a third adhesive layer 24. The third adhesive layer 24 may be a PSA.In an embodiment, the third adhesive layer 24 may be arranged ordisposed not only in a portion corresponding to the first portion 30 aof the plate 30, to which the digitizer 40 may be attached, but also ina portion corresponding to the folding area FA. For example, the thirdadhesive layer 24 may be formed as a single body corresponding to thedisplay area DA and the folding area FA. Accordingly, it may also beseen that the first portion 30 a and the second portion 30 b of theplate 30 may be formed or disposed on the third adhesive layer 24.

In an embodiment, the first portion 30 a and the second portion 30 b ofthe plate 30 may include different materials. The first portion 30 a ofthe plate 30 may include a non-metallic material. For example, the firstportion 30 a of the plate 30 may include glass, a polymer resin, or thelike within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure. As the firstportion 30 a of the plate 30 may include a non-metallic material, aninput signal or the like may be precisely input.

In an embodiment, the second portion 30 b of the plate 30 may correspondto the folding area FA and include a metallic material.

The second portion 30 b of the plate 30 may be arranged or disposed tocorrespond to (overlap) the folding area FA, and thus, the secondportion 30 b of the plate 30 may be a portion that may be folded in acase that the display apparatus 1 is folded. As the second portion 30 bof the plate 30 may include a metallic material, the second portion 30 bof the plate 30 may be easily folded.

In an embodiment, the second portion 30 b of the plate 30 may include afolding structure. The folding structure may include portions 30 c wherea metallic material may be arranged or disposed and openings 30 dbetween the portions 30 c. As the folding structure included in thesecond portion 30 b of the plate 30 is included as the portions 30 cwhere a metallic material may be arranged or disposed and the opening 30d between the portions 30 c where the metallic material may be arrangedor disposed, the second portion 30 b of the plate 30 may be easilyfolded.

In an embodiment, the folding structure included in the second portion30 b of the plate 30 may be in the form of a substantially unevenstructure, rotatably connected links, or the like within the spirit andthe scope of the disclosure.

In an embodiment, the plate 30 may be attached or disposed below thepanel protection member PB via a second adhesive layer 23. The secondadhesive layer 23 may be a PSA.

FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically illustrating a digitizer included ina display apparatus according to an embodiment, and FIG. 5 is aschematic cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a digitizerincluded in a display apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the digitizer 40 may be arranged ordisposed below the plate 30. The digitizer 40 may include a firstdigitizer 40 a corresponding to the first display area DA1, a seconddigitizer 40 b corresponding to the second display area DA2, and a thirddigitizer 40 c corresponding to the folding area FA.

The first digitizer 40 a may at least partially overlap the firstdisplay area DA1, the second digitizer 40 b may at least partiallyoverlap the second display area DA2, and the third digitizer 40 c may atleast partially overlap the folding area FA.

The first digitizer 40 a may be arranged or disposed below the plate 30to correspond to (overlap) the first display area DA1, the seconddigitizer 40 b may be arranged or disposed below the plate 30 tocorrespond to (overlap) the second display area DA2, and the thirddigitizer 40 c may be arranged or disposed below the plate 30 tocorrespond to (overlap) the folding area FA. The first digitizer 40 aand the second digitizer 40 b may be arranged or disposed below thefirst portion 30 a of the plate 30, and the third digitizer 40 c may bearranged or disposed below the second portion 30 b of the plate 30.

In an embodiment, the first digitizer 40 a and the second digitizer 40 bmay be spaced apart from each other by a certain or predetermineddistance, and the third digitizer 40 c may be arranged (located ordisposed) between the first digitizer 40 a and the second digitizer 40b. The third digitizer 40 c may be spaced apart from each of the firstdigitizer 40 a and the second digitizer 40 b by a certain orpredetermined distance.

In an embodiment, the first digitizer 40 a and the second digitizer 40 bmay be formed as a single body, and an opening or a hole may be definedor formed in the first digitizer 40 a and the second digitizer 40 b thatmay be formed as a single body. The third digitizer 40 c may be arrangedor disposed in the opening or hole defined or formed in the firstdigitizer 40 a and the second digitizer 40 b.

As will be described later, the third digitizer 40 c may be arranged ordisposed above a sagging prevention member 80 included in the foldingarea FA. As the third digitizer 40 c is spaced apart from the firstdigitizer 40 a and the second digitizer 40 b and arranged or disposedabove the sagging prevention member 80 in the folding area FA, adigitizer (for example, the third digitizer 40 c) may also be arrangedor disposed in the folding area FA, and thus, various input methodsusing a pen or the like may be provided to users. The sagging preventionmember 80 may also be referred to as a deformation prevention member ora distortion prevention member.

In an embodiment, a thickness of the first digitizer 40 a may bedifferent from that of the third digitizer 40 c. In an embodiment, athickness of the first digitizer 40 a may be equal to a thickness of thethird digitizer 40 c.

The digitizer 40 may include a first layer 41, a first pattern layer 43,a second layer 44, a second pattern layer 45, and a third layer 47. Inan embodiment, the first pattern layer 43 and the second pattern layer45 may be arranged or disposed on different surfaces of the second layer44. In an embodiment, the first pattern layer 43 and the second patternlayer 45 may be stacked on each other. In this case, the first patternlayer 43 and the second pattern layer 45 may be stacked in differentlayers from each other. Hereinafter, for convenience of description,description will focus on a case where the first pattern layer 43 andthe second pattern layer 45 of the digitizer 40 are arranged or disposedon different surfaces of the second layer 44.

The first pattern layer 43 may be arranged or disposed on a lowersurface of (under or below) the second layer 44, and the second patternlayer 45 may be arranged or disposed on an upper surface (on) the secondlayer 44. The first pattern layer 43 may directly contact the lowersurface of the second layer 44, and the second pattern layer 45 maydirectly contact the upper surface of the second layer 44. The firstpattern layer 43 and the second pattern layer 45 may be formed byrespectively forming a pattern layer on each of the lower surface andthe upper surface of the second layer 44 and leaving a portion of thepattern layer and removing another portion of the pattern layer.

The first pattern layer 43 and the second pattern layer 45 may be in theform of a loop coil. An induction current may be induced in the firstpattern layer 43 and the second pattern layer 45 as a stylus contacts orhovers over the display apparatus, and thus, the first pattern layer 43and the second pattern layer 45 may be used to detect a position of thestylus. Here, the first pattern layer 43 and the second pattern layer 45may be arranged or disposed in different directions from each other. Forexample, in a case that the second pattern layer 45 may be arranged ordisposed in one of the first direction (X-direction) or the seconddirection (Y-direction), the first pattern layer 43 may be arranged ordisposed in the other of the first direction (X-direction) or the seconddirection (Y-direction). For example, in a case that the second patternlayer 45 may be arranged or disposed in the first direction(X-direction), the first pattern layer 43 may be arranged or disposed inthe second direction (Y-direction), and in a case that the secondpattern layer 45 may be arranged or disposed in the second direction(Y-direction), the first pattern layer 43 may be arranged or disposed inthe first direction (X-direction). In this case, the first pattern layer43 and the second pattern layer 45 may be arranged or disposed to crossor intersect each other.

The first layer 41 may be arranged or disposed below the first patternlayer 43, and the third layer 47 may be arranged or disposed above thesecond pattern layer 45. As the first layer 41 and the third layer 47respectively shield the first pattern layer 43 and the second patternlayer 45, exposure of the first pattern layer 43 and the second patternlayer 45 to the external moisture or oxygen and oxidization thereof maybe prevented.

In an embodiment, the first layer 41 and the third layer 47 may includea PI resin. In an embodiment, the first layer 41 and the third layer 47may include a PI resin and a light-absorbing material such as at leastone of a black pigment, a black dye, and a black filler.

A fourth adhesive layer 42 may be disposed between the first layer 41and the first pattern layer 43. In an embodiment, the fourth adhesivelayer 42 may be formed as a single body with the first layer 41. Thefourth adhesive layer 42 may be a PSA.

A fifth adhesive layer 46 may be disposed between the third layer 47 andthe second pattern layer 45. In an embodiment, the fifth adhesive layer46 may be formed as a single body with the third layer 47. The fifthadhesive layer 46 may be a PSA.

In an embodiment, the first layer 41 and the third layer 47 may includea same or similar material as that of the second layer 44. For example,the second layer 44 may include a PI resin.

Referring back to FIG. 2, an electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 maybe arranged or disposed under or below the digitizer 40. Theelectromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 may include a firstelectromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 a corresponding to the firstdisplay area DA1, a second electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 bcorresponding to the second display area DA2, and a thirdelectromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 c corresponding to the foldingarea FA.

The first electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 a may at leastpartially overlap the first display area DA1, the second electromagneticwave absorbing layer 50 b may at least partially overlap the seconddisplay area DA2, and the third electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50c may at least partially overlap the folding area FA.

The first electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 a may be arranged ordisposed under or below the first digitizer 40 a to correspond to(overlap) the first display area DA1, the second electromagnetic waveabsorbing layer 50 b may be arranged or disposed under or below thesecond digitizer 40 b to correspond to (overlap) the second display areaDA2, and the third electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 c may bearranged or disposed under or below the third digitizer 40 c tocorrespond to (overlap) the folding area FA.

In an embodiment, the first electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 aand the second electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 b may be spacedapart from each other by a certain or predetermined distance. The thirdelectromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 c may be arranged (located ordisposed) between the first electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 aand the second electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 b. The thirdelectromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 c may be apart from each of thefirst electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 a and the secondelectromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 b by a certain or predetermineddistance.

In an embodiment, the first electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 aand the second electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 b may be formedas a single body, and an opening or a hole may be defined or formed inthe first electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 a and the secondelectromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 b that may be formed as a singlebody. In this case, the third electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 cmay be arranged or disposed in the opening or hole defined or formed inthe first electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 a and the secondelectromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 b.

The electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 may include a magnetic metalpowder (MMP). As the electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 may includean MMP, the electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 may absorb anelectromagnetic wave incident to the digitizer 40 or an electromagneticwave emitted from the digitizer 40.

In an embodiment, the first electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 a,the second electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 b, and the thirdelectromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 c may be respectively arrangedor disposed to correspond to (overlap) the first digitizer 40 a, thesecond digitizer 40 b, and the third digitizer 40 c, and accordingly,the first electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 a, the secondelectromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 b, and the third electromagneticwave absorbing layer 50 c may respectively absorb an electromagneticwave incident to or emitted from the first digitizer 40 a, the seconddigitizer 40 b, and the third digitizer 40 c.

A cushion layer 60 may be arranged or disposed under or below theelectromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50. The cushion layer 60 mayinclude a first cushion layer 60 a arranged or disposed to correspond tothe first display area DA1 and a second cushion layer 60 b arranged ordisposed to correspond to the second display area DA2. The first cushionlayer 60 a and the second cushion layer 60 b may be spaced apart fromeach other by a certain or predetermined distance. The saggingprevention member 80 may be disposed between the first cushion layer 60a and the second cushion layer 60 b.

In an embodiment, the first cushion layer 60 a and the second cushionlayer 60 b may be formed as a single body, and an opening or a hole maybe defined or formed in the first cushion layer 60 a and the secondcushion layer 60 b.

The cushion layer 60 may absorb impact from the outside to protect thedisplay panel 10.

A wing plate 70 may be arranged or disposed below the cushion layer 60.The wing plate 70 may include a first wing plate 70 a arranged ordisposed to correspond to the first display area DA1 and a second wingplate 70 b arranged or disposed to correspond to the second display areaDA2. The first wing plate 70 a may be arranged or disposed below thefirst cushion layer 60 a, and the second wing plate 70 b may be arrangedor disposed below the second cushion layer 60 b. An adhesive layer 25may be disposed between the first cushion layer 60 a and the first wingplate 70 a and between the second cushion layer 60 b and the second wingplate 70 b. The adhesive layer 25 may not entirely cover or overlap thefirst cushion layer 60 a and the first wing plate 70 a and the secondcushion layer 60 b and the second wing plate 70 b.

In an embodiment, the first wing plate 70 a and the second wing plate 70b may be spaced apart from each other by a certain or predetermineddistance.

In an embodiment, the sagging prevention member 80 may be arranged ordisposed between the first digitizer 40 a and the second digitizer 40 bthat may be spaced apart from each other by a certain or predetermineddistance, between the first electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 aand the second electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 b that may bespaced apart from each other by a certain or predetermined distance,between the first cushion layer 60 a and the second cushion layer 60 bthat may be apart from each other by a certain or predetermineddistance, and disposed between the first wing plate 70 a and the secondwing plate 70 b that may be spaced apart from each other by a certain orpredetermined distance.

In an embodiment, the sagging prevention member 80 may be arranged ordisposed to correspond to the folding area FA. As the sagging preventionmember 80 may be arranged or disposed to correspond to the folding areaFA, sagging or deforming of components arranged or disposed in thefolding area FA (for example, the display panel 10, the plate 30, or thelike), in a −Z direction, may be prevented or minimized.

In an embodiment, the third electromagnetic wave absorbing layer 50 cand the third digitizer 40 c may be arranged or disposed on the saggingprevention member 80. As the third digitizer 40 c may be arranged ordisposed above the sagging prevention member 80 in the folding area FA,a digitizer may be arranged or disposed below a portion of the displaypanel 10 corresponding to (overlapping) the folding area FA, andaccordingly, various input methods using a pen or the like may beprovided to users.

In an embodiment, the lower cover 90 may be arranged or disposed belowthe sagging prevention member 80. The lower cover 90 may form an outerappearance of a lower surface of the display apparatus 1. The lowercover 90 may cover or overlap side surfaces of the display apparatus 1.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates positions of a wing plate and a saggingprevention member in a case that a display apparatus according to anembodiment is in-folded. FIG. 7 schematically illustrates positions of awing plate and a sagging prevention member in a case that a displayapparatus according to an embodiment is unfolded.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 6, and 7, in an embodiment, in a case that thedisplay apparatus 1 is in-folded in a +Z direction, a portion of thewing plate 70 that may be adjacent to the folding area FA and thesagging prevention member 80 may be moved in a −Z direction. In detail,in a case that the display apparatus 1 is in-folded in a +Z direction, aright portion of the first wing plate 70 a and a left portion of thesecond wing plate 70 b that may be adjacent to the folding area FA maybe moved in a −Z direction, and the sagging prevention member 80 betweenthe first wing plate 70 a and the second wing plate 70 b may be moved ina −Z direction.

In an embodiment, in a case that the display apparatus 1 is in-folded ina +Z direction, instead of the wing plate 70 and the sagging preventionmember 80 moving in a −Z direction, the display panel 10 may be moved ina +Z direction.

In an embodiment, in a case that the display apparatus 1 is unfolded, aportion of the wing plate 70 that may be adjacent to the folding area FAand the sagging prevention member 80 may be moved in a +Z direction. Indetail, in a case that the display apparatus 1 is unfolded, the rightportion of the first wing plate 70 a and the left portion of the secondwing plate 70 b that may be adjacent to the folding area FA may be movedin a +Z direction, and the sagging prevention member 80 between thefirst wing plate 70 a and the second wing plate 70 b may be moved in a+Z direction.

In an embodiment, the third digitizer 40 c may be arranged or disposedabove the sagging prevention member 80. In a case that the displayapparatus 1 is unfolded, as the sagging prevention member 80 above whichthe third digitizer 40 c may be arranged or disposed is moved in a +Zdirection, the third digitizer 40 c may be located or disposed adjacentto the display panel 10, and accordingly, various input methods using apen or the like may be provided to users.

In an embodiment, in a case that the display apparatus 1 is unfolded,instead of the wing plate 70 and the sagging prevention member 80 movingin a +Z direction, the display panel 10 may be moved in a −Z direction.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, in an embodiment, the saggingprevention member 80 may be arranged or disposed in a portion of thelower cover 90. Alternatively, the sagging prevention member 80 may beconnected to a component additionally provided or disposed below thewing plate 70 (for example, a housing).

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically illustrating adisplay apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8, the display apparatus 1 may include the displaypanel 10, and the panel protection member PB may be arranged or disposedbelow the display panel 10, and a cover window 700 may be arranged ordisposed above the display panel 10.

The panel protection member PB may be attached or disposed below thedisplay panel 10 by using the first adhesive layer 21, and the coverwindow 700 may be adhered to the display panel 10 by using a sixthadhesive layer 27. The sixth adhesive layer 27 may be a PSA or anoptically clear adhesive (OCA).

The cover window 700 may be attached or disposed above the display panel10 to protect the display panel 10.

FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically illustrating a display panelincluded in a display apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is aschematic cross-sectional view of the display panel taken along lineII-II′ of FIG. 9.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the display panel 10 may include thedisplay area DA and the peripheral area DPA outside of or adjacent tothe display area DA. The display panel 10 may provide an image by usingpixels P arranged or disposed in the display area DA.

The pixels P may be implemented as a display element such as an organiclight-emitting diode OLED. Each pixel P may emit, for example, light ofa red color, a green color, a blue color or a white color. The displayarea DA may be covered or overlapped using an encapsulation member to beprotected from external air or moisture or the like within the spiritand the scope of the disclosure.

A first flexible film 14 may be attached to a boundary at one or a sideof the display panel 10. One or a side of the first flexible film 14 maybe attached to the boundary at the one side of the display panel 10 byusing an anisotropic conductive film. The first flexible film 14 may bea bendable flexible film.

A display driver 12 may be arranged or disposed on the first flexiblefilm 14. The display driver 12 may receive control signals and powervoltages, and may generate signals and voltages for driving the displaypanel 10 and output the same. The display driver 12 may be formed usingan integrated circuit (IC).

A display circuit board 11 may be attached or disposed to the other oranother side of the first flexible film 14. The other side of the firstflexible film 14 may be attached to an upper surface of the displaycircuit board 11 by using an anisotropic conductive film. The displaycircuit board 11 may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) that maybe bendable, a rigid PCB that may be rigid and not easily bendable, or acomplex PCB including both a rigid PCB and a flexible FPCB.

A touch sensor driver 13 may be arranged or disposed on the displaycircuit board 11. The touch sensor driver 13 may be formed using an IC.The touch sensor driver 13 may be attached to the display circuit board11. The touch sensor driver 13 may be electrically connected to touchelectrodes of a touch screen layer 400 (FIG. 11) of the display panel 10via the display circuit board 11.

The touch screen layer of the display panel 10 may detect a touch inputby a user by using at least one of various touch methods such as aresistive film type method, a capacitive type method, and the likewithin the spirit and the scope of the disclosure. For example, in acase that the touch screen layer of the display panel 10 detects a touchinput by a user by using a capacitive method, the touch sensor driver 13may apply driving signals to driving electrodes among the touchelectrodes. Then, whether the user has touched or not may be determinedby detecting voltages charged in mutual capacitance between the drivingelectrodes and sensing electrodes, by using the sensing electrodes fromamong the touch electrodes. A touch by a user may include a contacttouch and a proximity touch. A contact touch may refer to a directcontact by a user's finger or an object such as a pen, on the coverwindow 700 arranged or disposed on the touch screen layer. Likehovering, a proximity touch may refer to an approach by the finger of auser or an object such as a pen in proximity to the cover window 700.The touch sensor driver 13 may transmit sensor data to a main processorbased on the detected voltages, and by analyzing the sensor data, themain processor may calculate touch coordinates where a touch input hasoccurred.

A power supply unit for supplying driving voltages to drive the pixels Pof the display panel 10, a scan driver, and the display driver 12 may befurther arranged or disposed on the display circuit board 11.Alternatively, the power supply unit may be combined with the displaydriver 12, and as an example, the display driver 12 and the power supplyunit may be formed using a single IC.

A substrate 100 may include an insulating material such as glass,quartz, a polymer resin, or the like within the spirit and the scope ofthe disclosure. For example, the substrate 100 may include a polymerresin such as polyethersulfone, polyacrylate, polyetherimide,polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyphenylenesulfide, polyarylate, PI, polycarbonate or cellulose acetate propionate.The substrate 100 may have a multi-layer structure including a layerincluding the above-described polymer resin and an inorganic layer (notshown). For example, the substrate 100 may include two layers includingthe above-described polymer resin and an inorganic barrier layertherebetween. The substrate 100 may be a rigid substrate or a flexiblesubstrate that may be bendable, foldable, or rollable.

A buffer layer 111 may be located or disposed on the substrate 100 andreduce or prevent penetration of foreign substances, moisture, orexternal air from below the substrate 100 and provide a flat surface onthe substrate 100. The buffer layer 111 may include an inorganicmaterial such as an oxide or nitride, an organic material, or anorganic-inorganic composite material, and may have a single-layer ormulti-layer structure of an inorganic material and an organic material.A barrier layer (not shown) blocking penetration of outside air may befurther included between the substrate 100 and the buffer layer 111. Inan embodiment, the buffer layer 111 may be formed of silicon oxide(SiO₂) or silicon nitride (SiN_(X)). The buffer layer 111 may include afirst buffer layer 111 a and a second buffer layer 111 b that may bestacked. In this case, the first buffer layer 111 a may include siliconoxide (SiO₂), and the second buffer layer 111 b may include siliconnitride (SiN_(X)). Alternatively, the first buffer layer 111 a mayinclude silicon nitride (SiN_(X)), and the second buffer layer 111 b mayinclude silicon oxide (SiO₂). Alternatively, the first buffer layer 111a and the second buffer layer 111 b may include a same or similarmaterial.

A pixel circuit PC may be arranged or disposed on the buffer layer 111.The pixel circuit PC may include a thin film transistor TFT and astorage capacitor Cst. The thin film transistor TFT may be arranged ordisposed on the buffer layer 111. The thin film transistor TFT mayinclude a semiconductor layer A, a gate electrode G, a source electrodeS, and a drain electrode D. The thin film transistor TFT may beelectrically connected to an organic light-emitting diode OLED to drivethe organic light-emitting diode OLED.

The semiconductor layer A may be arranged or disposed on the bufferlayer 111 and may include polysilicon. In an embodiment, thesemiconductor layer A may include amorphous silicon. In an embodiment,the semiconductor layer A may include an oxide of at least one materialselected from the group including indium (In), gallium (Ga), stannum(Sn), zirconium (Zr), vanadium (V), hafnium (Hf), cadmium (Cd),germanium (Ge), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), and zinc (Zn). Thesemiconductor layer A may include a channel area and a source area and adrain area that may be doped with impurities.

A first insulating layer 112 may be included to cover or overlap thesemiconductor layer A. The first insulating layer 112 may include aninorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide (SiO_(X)), siliconnitride (SiN_(X)), silicon oxynitride (SiO_(X)N_(Y)), aluminum oxide(Al₂O₃), titanium oxide (TiO₂), tantalum oxide (Ta₂O₅), hafnium oxide(HfO₂), zinc oxide (ZnO₂), or the like within the spirit and the scopeof the disclosure. The first insulating layer 112 may be a single layeror multiple layers including the above-described inorganic insulatingmaterials.

The gate electrode G may be arranged or disposed on the first insulatinglayer 112 to overlap the semiconductor layer A. The gate electrode G mayinclude molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), andthe like, and may include a single layer or multiple layers. In anembodiment, the gate electrode G may be a single layer of molybdenum(Mo).

The second insulating layer 113 may cover or overlap the gate electrodeG. The second insulating layer 113 may include an inorganic insulatingmaterial such as silicon oxide (SiO_(X)), silicon nitride (SiN_(X)),silicon oxynitride (SiO_(X)N_(Y)), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), titaniumoxide (TiO₂), tantalum oxide (Ta₂O₅), hafnium oxide (HfO₂), zinc oxide(ZnO₂), or the like within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.The second insulating layer 113 may be a single layer or multiple layersincluding the above-described inorganic insulating materials.

An upper electrode CE2 of the storage capacitor Cst may be arranged ordisposed on the second insulating layer 113. The upper electrode CE2arranged or disposed on the second insulating layer 113 may overlap thegate electrode G arranged or disposed under or below the secondinsulating layer 113. The gate electrode G and the upper electrode CE2overlapping each other with the second insulating layer 113 therebetweenmay form the storage capacitor Cst. In an embodiment, the gate electrodeG may be a lower electrode CE1 of the storage capacitor Cst. In anembodiment, the lower electrode CE1 of the storage capacitor Cst may beincluded as an independent component. In this case, the lower electrodeCE1 and the gate electrode G may be spaced apart from each other by acertain or predetermined distance.

The upper electrode CE2 may include aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt),palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), gold (Au), nickel (Ni),neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), calcium (Ca), molybdenum(Mo), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), and/or copper (Cu), and may include asingle layer or multiple layers including the above-described materials.

A third insulating layer 115 may cover or overlap the upper electrodeCE2. The third insulating layer 115 may include an inorganic insulatingmaterial such as silicon oxide (SiO_(X)), silicon nitride (SiN_(X)),silicon oxynitride (SiO_(X)N_(Y)), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), titaniumoxide (TiO₂), tantalum oxide (Ta₂O₅), hafnium oxide (HfO₂), zinc oxide(ZnO₂), or the like within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.The third insulating layer 115 may include a single layer or multiplelayers including the above-described inorganic insulating materials. Thefirst insulating layer 112, the second insulating layer 113, and thethird insulating layer 115 may be collectively be referred to asinsulating layers IIL.

A source electrode S and a drain electrode D may be arranged or disposedon the third insulating layer 115. The source electrode S and the drainelectrode D may include a conductive material including molybdenum (Mo),aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), and the like, and may beformed as a multi-layer or single-layer structure including the abovematerials. In an embodiment, the source electrode S and the drainelectrode D may have a multi-layer structure including titanium(Ti)/aluminum (Al)/titanium (Ti).

A planarization layer 117 may be arranged or disposed on the sourceelectrode S and the drain electrode D. The planarization layer 117 mayhave a flat upper surface such that a pixel electrode 121 arranged ordisposed thereon may be flat.

The planarization layer 117 may include an organic material or aninorganic material and may have a single-layer structure or amulti-layer structure. The planarization layer 117 may include ageneral-purpose polymer such as benzocyclobutene (BCB), PI,hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), orpolystyrene (PS), a polymer derivative having a phenolic group, acrylicpolymer, imide-based polymer, aryl ether-based polymer, amide-basedpolymer, fluorine-based polymer, p-xylene-based polymer, or vinylalcohol-based polymer. The planarization layer 117 may include aninorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide (SiO_(X)), siliconnitride (SiN_(X)), silicon oxynitride (SiO_(X)N_(Y)), aluminum oxide(Al₂O₃), titanium oxide (TiO₂), tantalum oxide (Ta₂O₅), hafnium oxide(HfO₂), zinc oxide (ZnO₂), or the like within the spirit and the scopeof the disclosure. In a case that forming the planarization layer 117,in order to provide a flat upper surface after forming the planarizationlayer 117, chemical mechanical polishing may be performed on the uppersurface thereof.

The planarization layer 117 may have a via hole exposing one of thesource electrode S and the drain electrode D of the thin film transistorTFT, and the pixel electrode 121 may electrically contact the sourceelectrode S or the drain electrode D via the via hole to be electricallyconnected to the thin film transistor TFT.

While one planarization layer is illustrated in FIG. 10, in anembodiment, two planarization layers may also be included. Twoplanarization layers may be more advantageous in terms of a higher levelof integration.

The pixel electrode 121 may be arranged or disposed on the planarizationlayer 117. The pixel electrode 121 may include a conductive oxide suchas indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO),indium oxide (In₂O₃), indium gallium oxide (IGO) or aluminum zinc oxide(AZO). The pixel electrode 121 may include a reflective layer includingsilver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium(Pd), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium(Cr), or a compound thereof. For example, the pixel electrode 121 mayhave a structure in which layers including ITO, IZO, ZnO or In₂O₃ may beabove or below the above-described reflective layer. The pixel electrode121 may have a structure in which indium tin oxide (ITO)/silver(Ag)/indium tin oxide (ITO) may be stacked.

A pixel defining layer 119 may be arranged or disposed on theplanarization layer 117. The pixel defining layer 119 may be arranged ordisposed on the planarization layer 117 and cover or overlap edges ofthe pixel electrode 121. In the pixel defining layer 119, a firstopening OP1 exposing at least a portion of the pixel electrode 121 maybe defined or formed. An emission area EA of the organic light-emittingdiode OLED, for example, a size and shape of a pixel P may be defined orformed by the first opening OP1.

The pixel defining layer 119 may increase a distance between the edgesof the pixel electrode 121 and an opposite electrode 123 above the pixelelectrode 121 to thereby prevent an arc or the like at the edges of thepixel electrode 121. The pixel defining layer 119 may include, forexample, an organic insulating material such as PI, polyamide, anacrylic resin, benzocylcobutene, HMDSO, a phenolic resin, or the like,and may be formed by spin coating or the like within the spirit and thescope of the disclosure.

Although not illustrated, a spacer to prevent mask stamping may befurther arranged or disposed on the pixel defining layer 119. The spacermay be formed as a single body with the pixel defining layer 119. Forexample, the spacer and the pixel defining layer 119 may besimultaneously formed in a same process by using a halftone maskprocess.

An emission layer 122 b may be arranged or disposed in the first openingOP1 defined or formed in the pixel defining layer 119, to correspond tothe pixel electrode 121. The emission layer 122 b may include a polymermaterial or a low-molecular material, and may emit light of red, green,blue or white color.

An organic functional layer 122 e may be arranged or disposed on and/orunder or below the emission layer 122 b. In an embodiment, the organicfunctional layer 122 e may include a first functional layer 122 a and/ora second functional layer 122 c. In an embodiment, the first functionallayer 122 a or the second functional layer 122 c may be omitted.

The first functional layer 122 a may be arranged or disposed under orbelow the emission layer 122 b. The first functional layer 122 a mayhave a single-layer or multi-layer structure including an organicmaterial. The first functional layer 122 a may be a hole transport layer(HTL) having a single-layer structure. Alternatively, the firstfunctional layer 122 a may include a hole injection layer (HIL) and aHTL. The first functional layer 122 a may be formed as a single body tocorrespond to organic light-emitting diodes OLED included in the displayarea DA.

The second functional layer 122 c may be arranged or disposed on theemission layer 122 b. The second functional layer 122 c may be a singlelayer or multiple layers including an organic material. The secondfunctional layer 122 c may include an electron transport layer (ETL)and/or an electron injection layer (EIL). The second functional layer122 c may be formed as a single body to correspond to organiclight-emitting diodes OLED included in the display area DA.

The opposite electrode 123 may be arranged or disposed on the secondfunctional layer 122 c. The opposite electrode 123 may include aconductive material having a low work function. For example, theopposite electrode 123 may include a (semi)transparent layer includingsilver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium(Pd), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium(Cr), lithium (Li), calcium (Ca), or an alloy thereof. Alternatively,the opposite electrode 123 may further include a layer such as ITO, IZO,ZnO or In₂O₃ on the (semi)transparent layer including theabove-described materials. The opposite electrode 123 may be formed as asingle body to correspond to organic light-emitting diodes OLED includedin the display area DA.

The layers from the pixel electrode 121 to the opposite electrode 123may constitute an organic light-emitting diode OLED.

An upper layer 150 including an organic material may be formed ordisposed on the opposite electrode 123. The upper layer 150 may beprovided to protect the opposite electrode 123 and also increase lightextraction efficiency. The upper layer 150 may include an organicmaterial having a higher refractive index than the opposite electrode123. Alternatively, the upper layer 150 may include layers havingdifferent refractive indices and stacked on each other. For example, theupper layer 150 may be formed by stacking a high-refractive indexlayer/low-refractive index layer/high-refractive index layer. Arefractive index of the high-refractive index layer may be about 1.7 orhigher, and a refractive index of the low-refractive index layer may beabout 1.3 or lower.

The upper layer 150 may further include LiF. Alternatively, the upperlayer 150 may further include an inorganic insulating material such assilicon oxide (SiO₂) or silicon nitride (SiN_(X)). The upper layer 150may be omitted. However, for convenience of description, descriptionwill focus on an embodiment in which the upper layer 150 may be arrangedor disposed on the opposite electrode 123.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically illustrating adisplay apparatus according to an embodiment. In FIG. 11, like referencenumerals as those in FIG. 10 denote like elements, and thus repeateddescription thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 11, a thin-film encapsulation layer 300 may bearranged or disposed on the organic light-emitting diode OLED. Thethin-film encapsulation layer 300 may include at least one inorganicfilm layer and at least one organic film layer. For example, thethin-film encapsulation layer 300 may include a first inorganic filmlayer 310, an organic film layer 320, and a second inorganic film layer330.

The first inorganic film layer 310 and the second inorganic film layer330 may each include one or more inorganic insulating materials. Theinorganic insulating material may include silicon oxide (SiO_(X)),silicon nitride (SiN_(X)), silicon oxynitride (SiO_(X)N_(Y)), aluminumoxide (Al₂O₃), titanium oxide (TiO₂), tantalum oxide (Ta₂O₅), hafniumoxide (HfO₂), zinc oxide (ZnO₂), or the like within the spirit and thescope of the disclosure.

The organic film layer 320 may include a polymer-based material.Examples of the polymer-based material may include an acrylic resin, anepoxy resin, PI, polyethylene, and the like within the spirit and thescope of the disclosure. For example, the organic film layer 320 mayinclude an acrylic resin, such as polymethylmethacrylate, polyacrylicacid, and the like within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.The organic film layer 320 may be formed by hardening a monomer orapplying a polymer.

The touch screen layer 400 may be arranged or disposed on the thin-filmencapsulation layer 300. The touch screen layer 400 may include a firstconductive layer MTL1 and a second conductive layer MTL2 including asensing electrode and/or a trace line or the like within the spirit andthe scope of the disclosure. A first touch insulating layer 410 may bearranged or disposed between the thin-film encapsulation layer 300 andthe first conductive layer MTL1, and a second touch insulating layer 430may be arranged or disposed between the first conductive layer MTL1 andthe second conductive layer MTL2.

The first conductive layer MTL1 and the second conductive layer MTL2 mayinclude a conductive material. The conductive material may includemolybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), or the like,and may include multiple layers or a single layer including the abovematerial. In an embodiment, the first conductive layer MTL1 and thesecond conductive layer MTL2 may have a structure in which a titaniumlayer, an aluminum layer, and a titanium layer may be sequentiallystacked (Ti/Al/Ti).

The first touch insulating layer 410 and the second touch insulatinglayer 430 may include an inorganic insulating material and/or an organicinsulating material. The inorganic insulating material may includesilicon oxide (SiO_(X)), silicon nitride (SiN_(X)), silicon oxynitride(SiO_(X)N_(Y)), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), titanium oxide (TiO₂), tantalumoxide (Ta₂O₅), hafnium oxide (HfO₂), zinc oxide (ZnO₂), or the likewithin the spirit and the scope of the disclosure. The organicinsulating material may include an acrylic organic material, an imideorganic material, or the like within the spirit and the scope of thedisclosure.

A filter plate 600 may be arranged or disposed on the touch screen layer400 as an optical functional layer. The filter plate 600 may include ablack matrix 610, a color filter 620, and an overcoat layer 630.

The black matrix 610 may be located or disposed in a non-emission areaaround the emission area EA and surround the emission area EA. In anembodiment, the black matrix 610 may passivate a touch electrode of thetouch screen layer 400. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, thesecond conductive layer MTL2 of the touch screen layer 400 may overlapthe black matrix 610, and the second conductive layer MTL2 may becovered or overlapped using the black matrix 610. The black matrix 610may include an insulating material (for example, an organic insulatingmaterial) including a pigment or dye having a black color. The blackmatrix 610 may include a material that may be included in the pixeldefining layer 119.

The black matrix 610 may have a second opening OP2 corresponding to theemission area EA. The second opening OP2 defined or formed in the blackmatrix 610 may be formed to be the same in size as or larger than thefirst opening OP1 defined or formed in the pixel defining layer 119.

The color filter 620 may be arranged or disposed in the emission area EAof the organic light-emitting diode OLED. The color filter 620 may havea red, green, or blue pigment or dye according to a color of lightemitted from the organic light-emitting diode OLED.

The overcoat layer 630 covering or overlapping the black matrix 610 andthe color filter 620 to planarize an upper surface of the filter plate600 may be arranged or disposed on the black matrix 610 and the colorfilter 620.

Although not illustrated, in an embodiment, instead of the filter plate600, an optical functional layer including a polarization plate may bearranged or disposed on the touch screen layer 400. In this case, theoptical functional layer may include an anti-reflection layer. Theanti-reflection layer may reduce a reflectance of light (external light)incident from the outside to the display apparatus 1.

In an embodiment, the anti-reflection layer may include a polarizationfilm. The polarization film may include a linear polarization plate anda phase delay film such as a quarter-wave (λ/4) plate. The phase delayfilm may be arranged or disposed on the touch screen layer 400, and alinear polarization plate may be arranged or disposed on the phase delayfilm. In an embodiment, the anti-reflection layer may include adestructive interference structure. The destructive interferencestructure may include a first reflective layer and a second reflectivelayer arranged or disposed on different layers from each other. Firstreflected light and second reflected light respectively reflected by thefirst reflective layer and the second reflective layer may undergodestructive interference, thereby reducing external light reflectance.

The cover window 700 may be arranged or disposed above the filter plate600. The cover window 700 may be attached to the filter plate 600 byusing the sixth adhesive layer 27. The sixth adhesive layer 27 may be aPSA or an OCA.

In an embodiment, in the display apparatus 1 including the display areaDA and the folding area FA, as the digitizer 40 may be arranged ordisposed below the display panel 10, various input methods using a penor the like may be provided to users.

In an embodiment, as the sagging prevention member 80 may be arranged ordisposed to correspond to the folding area FA, and a digitizer (forexample, the third digitizer 40 c) may be arranged or disposed above thesagging prevention member 80, various input methods using a pen or thelike may be provided to users in the folding area FA.

For example, in an embodiment, as a folding structure may be included inthe second portion 30 b of the plate 30 arranged or disposed below thedisplay panel 10, the second portion 30 b corresponding to the foldingarea FA, in-folding may be easily implemented.

According to an embodiment as described above, as a digitizer may beincluded below a foldable display panel that may be folded or unfolded,various input methods using a pen or the like may be provided to users.However, the scope of the disclosure is not limited by theabove-described effects.

It should be understood that embodiments described herein should beconsidered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodimentshould typically be considered as available for other similar featuresor aspects in other embodiments. While one or more embodiments have beendescribed with reference to the figures, it will be understood by thoseof ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detailsmay be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope asdefined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus comprising: a display areaand a folding area; a display panel; a digitizer disposed below thedisplay panel; a sagging prevention member disposed in a portion belowthe display panel, a center of the sagging prevention member overlappingthe folding area; and a lower cover disposed below the saggingprevention member.
 2. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein anentirety of the sagging prevention member overlaps the folding area. 3.The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sagging prevention memberis moveable relative to a portion of the display panel directly abovethe sagging prevention member.
 4. A display apparatus comprising: adisplay area and a folding area; a display panel; a digitizer disposedbelow the display panel; a sagging prevention member disposed in aportion below the display panel overlapping the folding area; and alower cover disposed below the sagging prevention member, wherein thedisplay area includes a first display area and a second display areaspaced apart from each other, the folding area is disposed between thefirst display area and the second display area, and the digitizerincludes: a first digitizer overlapping the first display area; a seconddigitizer overlapping the second display area; and a third digitizeroverlapping the folding area.
 5. The display apparatus of claim 4,wherein the first digitizer and the second digitizer are spaced apartfrom each other.
 6. The display apparatus of claim 5, wherein the thirddigitizer is disposed between the first digitizer and the seconddigitizer.
 7. The display apparatus of claim 6, wherein the thirddigitizer is spaced apart from each of the first digitizer and thesecond digitizer.
 8. The display apparatus of claim 7, wherein the thirddigitizer is disposed above the sagging prevention member.
 9. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an electromagnetic waveabsorption layer disposed below the digitizer.
 10. The display apparatusof claim 9, wherein the electromagnetic wave absorption layer includes:a first electromagnetic wave absorption layer overlapping the firstdisplay area; a second electromagnetic wave absorption layer overlappingthe second display area; and a third electromagnetic wave absorptionlayer overlapping the folding area.
 11. The display apparatus of claim10, wherein the first electromagnetic wave absorption layer, the secondelectromagnetic wave absorption layer, and the third electromagneticwave absorption layer are spaced apart from one another.
 12. The displayapparatus of claim 10, wherein the third electromagnetic wave absorptionlayer is disposed between the sagging prevention member and the thirddigitizer.
 13. The display apparatus of claim 10, further comprising awing plate disposed below the electromagnetic wave absorption layer. 14.The display apparatus of claim 13, wherein the wing plate includes: afirst wing plate overlapping the first display area; and a second wingplate overlapping the second display area.
 15. The display apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein the first wing plate and the second wing plate arespaced apart from each other.
 16. The display apparatus of claim 15,wherein the sagging prevention member is disposed between the first wingplate and the second wing plate.
 17. The display apparatus of claim 16,further comprising an optical functional layer disposed above thedisplay panel.
 18. The display apparatus of claim 4, further comprisinga plate disposed between the display panel and the digitizer.
 19. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 18, wherein the plate includes: a firstportion overlapping the first display area and the second display area;and a second portion overlapping the folding area.
 20. The displayapparatus of claim 19, wherein the first portion of the plate includes anon-metallic material, and the second portion of the plate includes ametallic material.
 21. The display apparatus of claim 20, furthercomprising a folding structure disposed in the second portion of theplate.
 22. A display apparatus comprising: a display area and a foldingarea; a display panel; a plate disposed below the display panel andcomprising: a first portion overlapping the display area; and a secondportion overlapping the folding area; a digitizer disposed below theplate; and a sagging prevention member disposed below the plateoverlapping the folding area.
 23. The display apparatus of claim 22,wherein the first portion of the plate and the second portion of theplate include different materials.
 24. The display apparatus of claim23, wherein the display area includes a first display area and a seconddisplay area spaced apart from each other, the folding area is disposedbetween the first display area and the second display area, and thedigitizer includes: a first digitizer overlapping the first displayarea; a second digitizer overlapping the second display area; and athird digitizer overlapping the folding area.
 25. The display apparatusof claim 24, wherein the first digitizer and the second digitizeroverlap the first portion of the plate, and the third digitizer overlapsthe second portion of the plate.
 26. The display apparatus of claim 25,wherein the third digitizer is disposed above the sagging preventionmember.
 27. The display apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a wingplate disposed below the digitizer, wherein the wing plate includes: afirst wing plate overlapping the first display area; and a second wingplate overlapping the second display area.
 28. The display apparatus ofclaim 27, wherein the first wing plate and the second wing plate arespaced apart from each other.
 29. The display apparatus of claim 28,wherein the sagging prevention member is disposed between the first wingplate and the second wing plate.
 30. The display apparatus of claim 27,further comprising a cushion layer disposed above the wing plate,wherein the cushion layer includes: a first cushion layer overlappingthe first display area; and a second cushion layer overlapping thesecond display area.
 31. The display apparatus of claim 30, wherein thefirst cushion layer and the second cushion layer are spaced apart fromeach other.
 32. The display apparatus of claim 31, wherein the saggingprevention member is disposed between the first cushion layer and thesecond cushion layer.